Lost HD in North Carolina

[David In NC]

I’ve lost my HD (except for Ch 293 – CTV HD) and I need advise on what to do next.

Background: I live in North Carolina. StarChoice (DSR 505) with an elliptical dish has been working OK for a few years. I lost the HD channels a few months ago but I thought it was due to a large tree that had grown and was starting to block the dish. (Changing to an HD channel gives “Acquiring satellite signal Please wait” message). Non-HD channels are all OK.

The tree is now gone but I have exactly the same problems.

Setup shows: EMM Provider ID: 4128; Satellite Name: A4;
Signal strength depends on which channel I'm tuned to:
Ch 280: (TSNHD): signal 39; 0.0 dB
Ch 293: (CTVHD): signal 74; 3.6 dB
Ch 303 (CBCOTT): signal 47; 5.1 dB
Ch 400: (TSN) signal 47; 5.0 dB
Ch 870: (CBC radio) signal = 51; 5.9 dB

When tuned to other HD channels I get 0 dB.

Questions:
1. Are HD and Non-HD channels on different satellites and am I acquiring only one?
2. Why can I get HD on Ch. 293 (and only this channel) just fine? Is it on a different satellite? (Where would I find that out?)
3. Why don’t the signal strengths correlate? That is, signal vs dB. Are they measuring different things?
4. When using the “Tune in Satellite Signal” – does the signal level reflect both satellites or just the strongest? What channel should I select when adjusting the dish?

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Satellite Expert]

293 is now on F1R along with 260 Sportsnet Ontario.

Are you getting a signal on 420 + 559 (SD signals on F2)? If not you have lost F2 reception.

What type of dish/LNBF setup do you have?

 

[QCK]

Your signal on 107.1W is very weak. Is there any chance of the skew of your dish changing? Have you tried to re-align it at all?

 

[David In NC]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll check out reception on 420 and 559 tonight and look up the specs on the dish. The most likely explantion is that the dish is mis-aligned but I won't be able to fuss with it for a day or two.

A few days ago I tried to maximize the signal using the power meter in the setup options. But I don't know what channel I was tuned to at the time. In retrospect it seems that this would be important - what do you recommend? After checking the skew should I switch back and forth between an F1R and F2 channel?

 

[QCK]

After checking the skew should I switch back and forth between an F1R and F2 channel?

Yes, that is what I would do.

 

[David In NC]

No reception on 420 or 559. Set up shows a signal of 15 and 0.0 dB. So I guess that answers it. When I can get up on the roof next, I'll try to max the signal on both 420 (F2) and TSN. Thanks for the help.

 

[localnet]

Did you ever get the problem fixed? Sounds like you have the same problem I had after *C upgraded the firmware on or about Super Bowl Sunday. HDPC (new copyright cr@p). I had to disconnect my DVI to HDMI cable from my Denon AVR-4308ci and connect directly to my television on one unit and swap out the DVI to HDMI cable for component on my other unit. Now all works. But a real pain in the rear.